River Lim Action respond to DEFRA bathing waters plans

The government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA, announced earlier this week that it has launched a consultation in an attempt to modernise bathing waters for the first time since 2013.

Campaigners the River Lim Action Group, who earlier this year celebrated news that Church Cliff Beach in Lyme Regis was re-designated as a bathing beach following a two-year campaign, were supportive of the planned reforms, which would crackdown on water pollution in bathing spots.

Church Cliff Beach (Image: River Lim Action)Reforms are set to include removing fixed season May to September dates from bathing water regulations - which campaigners welcome as there is concern bathing spots are becoming polluted at other times of the year.

The legal definition of ‘bathers’ would also be reformed to include participants in water sports other than swimming, including paddle boarders and surfers.

A spokesperson for the River Lim Action Group, said: “The River Lim Action group welcomes these proposed changes to bathing waters. People swim all year round and monitoring in the winter, when there's more rain and more sewage overflows, would be really valuable.

The River Lim Action Group after Church Cliff beach was designated safe for bathing (Image: River Lim Action) "When we secured designation of our bathing beach - Church Cliff in Lyme Regis - earlier this year we had to discount paddle boarders and surfers, so it's good news that they could be included in future as important water users.

"We're also pleased that the proposals include getting rid of the five year de-designation rule for bathing beaches with poor water quality."

DEFRA has proposed to end the automatic de-designation of bathing water status after five consecutive years of a site being rated ‘poor’, which can damage local tourism and businesses.

Instead, underperforming sites will be individually reviewed by regulators, taking into account their unique circumstances.

The River Lim spokesperson added: “Church Cliff beach was de-designated before because of concerns about poor water quality. That means there's no monitoring and no incentive to get beaches cleaned up. It's a reward for failure. Keeping the designation will keep the pressure on the water companies and Environment Agency to improve bathing water quality and provide the time needed.

"There's still more that could be done - like monitoring for other pollutants as well as bacteria - but it's a welcome step in the right direction.”

Bathing waters are officially designated outdoor swimming sites. England and Wales have more than 550 designated bathing waters, which are monitored by the Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales. Annual ratings classify each site as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘sufficient’ or ‘poor’ on the basis of water quality.

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: “Bathing water sites are the pride of local communities across the country.

“But the current system is not working for all those who use and enjoy our bathing waters, and reform is long overdue.

“That is why this Government will give more people the opportunity to experience the benefits of our beautiful waters and connect with nature.”